Diaspora Judía -Recife

The seventeenth century was a period of violence and hope, of extinction and new beginnings. While the Inquisition succeeded in removing Judaism from virtually every corner of Spanish America [15], Sephardic Jews began settling in America’s Dutch and English colonies. In 1637, the first synagogue in the New World was established in Dutch Brazil in Recife (formerly Pernambuco). In 1654, twenty-three Jews left Recife for New Amsterdam (present-day New York City) where they formed the first Jewish community on North American soil.

15. Arnoldo di Arnoldi (Flemish, fl. 1590-1602) America Facsimile of a copper engraving, 36.4 x 47.0cm Siena: Matteo Florimi, ca. 1600 Osher Collection Overlay by Seth Klenk, 2001
http://www.usm.maine.edu/maps/exhibit10/10-03.html